Havildar held on charge of assaulting journalist

An Indian Reserve Battalion havildar was arrested on Thursday night on charge of illegally detaining and attacking a journalist on February 10. The havildar, Mujibur Rahman, allegedly led the attack against Chaoba Aribam, a senior reporter with the Imphal Free Press, when he was on his way home from work.

Mr. Rahman and his fellow officers accosted Mr. Aribam and ordered him to lie on the road for walking around at night. Mr. Rahman then allegedly hit him on the forehead with a radio set. The havildar also allegedly threatened to kill Mr. Aribam if he lodged a complaint. He suffered severe injuries that required four stitches.

On February 15, unidentified persons fired gunshots at Mr. Aribam’s house. No one was hurt in the attack.

Mr. Rahman was earlier suspended from service after the All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union demanded strict action against him.